Former Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey will stand trial in November 2026 after pleading not guilty to a series of rape and sexual assault charges.
The 32-year-old midfielder is accused of five counts of rape against two women, as well as a charge of sexual assault against a third woman.
The alleged offences took place between 2021 and 2022, when he was an Arsenal player.
Partey stood in the dock at Southwark crown court with his arms behind his back as he pleaded not guilty to the six charges.
Judge Christopher Hehir set Partey’s trial for November 2 next year, with the case expected to last up to eight weeks.
It will also be overseen by a High Court judge, the court heard.
“Your trial will take place at this court on November 2, 2026”, the judge told Partey.
“That’s quite a long way in advance.
“As you may know, Crown Courts have a huge backlog of work, which means trial do often take a long time to come on.
“Because you have the benefit of bail, you are in a queue behind people sitting in prison waiting to be tried.”
The footballer was charged four days after leaving Arsenal this summer, following the expiration of his contract at the end of June.
The Ghanaian midfielder confirmed his name and date of birth at the start of Wednesday’s hearing.
The court appearance came hours after Partey made a substitute appearance for Villareal as the Spanish side Villarreal lost their opening Champions League fixture to Tottenham Hotspur.
Partey’s introduction during the 1-0 loss was met with boos from the Spurs fans.
In the criminal case, the footballer faces allegations of eight instances of rape, Westminster magistrates court heard last month, when Partey appeared in the dock for the first time.
He is accused of raping women at his former £6 million north London mansion and at the five-star NOBU hotel in Marbella.
Prosecutor Jocelyn Ledward said a third woman claims Partey “sexually assaulted her by lying on top of her, trying to kiss her, and touching her, all over clothing”.
Partey, who previously gave his address as Potters Bar, was granted bail at the first court hearing, with the conditions that he does not contact any of the three alleged victims.
He must notify police of any permanent changes of address or international travel.
Partey joined Arsenal from Atletico Madrid in 2020 in a transfer worth around £45 million.
Earlier this year, he was awarded Ghana footballer of the year for the third time, after a final season with the Gunners in which he made 52 appearances.
Partey has also made more than 50 appearances for Ghana including at the World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations.
An Arsenal spokesperson previously said: “The player’s contract ended on June 30. Due to ongoing legal proceedings, the club is unable to comment on the case.”
Judge Hehir set a further pre-trial hearing in Partey’s case for May 21. The footballer has been excused from attending that court appearance.
Two of Partey’s entourage were permitted to sit in the jury box for Wednesday’s hearing, while court security guards were stationed at the entrance to the courtroom.
